Investigating the Impact of Visual Aids on the Memorization and Recall of Vocabulary: The Case of EFL Learners in “Bridge Way World” Private School in Tizi-Ouzou

Abstract

The presents study has investigated the impact of using visual aids on vocabulary memorization and recall in the private school of English “Bridge Way World” situated in the town of Tizi-Ouzou (B.W.W). Our investigation concerns two groups of learners from the category (B1). It aims to examine how visual materials help learners to easily learn, memorize and recall vocabulary. In order to meet the objectives of the study, we have applied Thornburys’(2002) theory about how to learn, memorize and recall vocabulary. For collecting data, Eight (8) classroom observation sessions were conducted with two (2) groups of learners from the same level, six (6) teachers’ questionnaires were distributed. As concerns data analysis, we have adopted a mixed method research combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative data are analyzed using the descriptive statistical method and are presented in SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). For the qualitative ones, they are analyzed using the Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA). The results obtained from the classroom observation sessions reveal that all teachers use visual materials to present the new words such as: pictures, videos, and realia. Also, it was observed that these tools improve vocabulary learning and help learners to better memorize the new lexical items. The findings of the questionnaire point out that all teachers working in “Bridge Way World” use visual materials because they believe that these techniques makes the learning environment rich and attractive.